Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire.

The prescription charge in the Bill will not make the healthy choice the easier choice, particularly for vulnerable groups. We must remember it is doctors who prescribe, not patients. Perhaps the Minister should target the doctors rather than making patients pay.

Let us look at the facts. I am basing all my points on evidence. Thirty per cent of the population currently hold medical cards. There will be a charge of 50 cent per item prescribed and a maximum charge of €10 per family. Those who will be most affected will be the vulnerable, including the elderly, patients with chronic illnesses, the homeless and people in sheltered accommodation.

The Minister has justified the charge on the basis of the need to raise money and to discourage over-prescribing and the overuse of medication. Although she is discouraging over-prescription and overuse of medication, it is the doctors whom she should educate and target. Patients do not prescribe; it is doctors who do.

I am concerned about the effects on people's health if they stop taking medication. Senator Feeney said 50 cent is very little. While I accept that, it does depend on whether one is in one of the vulnerable groups. One never knows what will prevent a person from obtaining his medication. Consider what occurred in respect of warfarin, for example. Warfarin is an essential blood-thinning drug for people with particular heart complaints. Since the affected had to go to a general practitioner to get their blood levels checked, they did not do so. The cost of going to the general practitioner mitigated against their doing so.